Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison is not a long-term thinker. He likes to deal with today's problems today, and leave the future to look after itself. So, when Beijing started to threaten Australia's trade links with China earlier this year, he did not worry much.
He refused to back down from any of the policies and pronouncements that had provoked Beijing's anger, while reassuring Australians that all would be well. All they needed to do, he suggested, was wait patiently and China would soon cool down and back off.
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